Effect of Health-Promoting Lifestyle Education Based on Health Belief Model for Women of Reproductive Age: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: Women of reproductive age play a central role in maintaining family health through their influence on pregnancy outcomes, child health, family nutrition, and health-related decision-making. Therefore, promoting healthy lifestyles among these women is essential for improving both individual and family health. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Health Belief Model-based education on health-promoting lifestyles among women of reproductive age. Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted among women of reproductive age attending urban and rural comprehensive health centers in Buin-Zahra, Iran. In total, 132 women were assessed for eligibility; 32 were excluded because they did not meet the inclusion criteria. The remaining 100 eligible participants were recruited from the selected health centers and allocated to the intervention (n = 50) and control (n = 50) groups using stratified randomization by place of residence (urban/rural). The intervention group received four Health Belief Model-based educational sessions, whereas the control group received routine care. Health-promoting lifestyle and Health Belief Model constructs were assessed at baseline and eight weeks after the intervention using the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile and a researcher-developed questionnaire. During follow-up, three participants in the control group were lost, and data from 97 participants were included in the final analysis. Statistical analyses were performed using the chi-square test, independent-samples t-test, paired-samples t-test, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), with P < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Before the intervention, the mean scores for lifestyle behaviors and HBM constructs did not differ significantly between the two groups (P > 0.05). After the intervention, compared with the control group, the experimental group showed significant improvements in knowledge, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, self-efficacy, and cues to action (P < 0.05). The mean scores for the overall health-promoting lifestyle and its dimensions also increased significantly in the experimental group (P < 0.05). Conclusions: HBM-based education is effective in improving health-promoting lifestyle behaviors. Integrating Health Belief Model-based educational programs into routine primary healthcare services may be an effective strategy for promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors among women of reproductive age and improving family health.